Abstract

The State has a Constitutional mandate to take progressive measures towards realising the rights contained in the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights is a cornerstone of democracy in South Africa, which enshrines the right of all citizens to access courts as stipulated in s 34 of the Constitution. The State is entrusted with promoting and fulfilling the rights contained in the Bill of Rights and affording all citizens the equal protection and benefit of the law. More pertinent, the State must endeavour to eliminate the obstructions inhibiting access to justice and in particular, those difficulties which impede the poor, illiterate and indigent.